Electric iron



Patented Sept.` 24, 1940 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC IRON James J. Gough, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Chicago Electric Manufacturing Company, Chi-v cago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application December 3, 1938, Serial No. 243,709

11 Claims. y (Cl. 38-90) This invention relates `to an electric iron and particularly to an electric iron of the folding type and constitutes an improvement over the folding iron shown in applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 237,910, led October 3'1, 1938.

It is an object of this invention to provide asturdy though inexpensive electric iron which may readily be folded and when folded occupy a minimum of space.

lf) Another object of the invention is to provide an electric iron of which the handle may be moved longitudinally of the iron into a collapsed position upon` the base of the iron and to l,provide means for eiectively securing or locking the" handle'inf l5 its extended position and in the collapsed position whereby to prevent inadvertent collapsing of the handle from its extended position and to protect the handle against vibration and fracturing when in collapsed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a electric iron having a collapsible handle and to provi e means for latching the handle, in its exte ded-position, to a handle supper-ting, collapsible member so that the handle will be posi- 25 tively held against movement or lost motion relative to the said member and securely locked againstinadvertent release during use of the iron.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention willbe apparent from `the following I description when taken in connection with the the handle, illustrating the manner in which the handle is locked to the forward handle supporting member when in extended-position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in section through the handle, illustrating the manner in which the handle may be unlocked for movement' to the collapsed position of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 'l is a vertical section taken along the line 1--1 f Fig.`1. y Y

Fig. 8 is a view in exploded perspective of the handle latching means.

Various structures have been devised for collapsibly supporting the handle of an electric iron but these have not been entirely satisfactory because of their complexity and consequent expense, their bulkiness, even when -the handle was collapsed, their susceptibility to rattling and fracturing of the handle and its mounting means when the handle was in collapsed position and. 5 their tendency, particularly after a relatively short period of use, to collapse during normal use.

An electric iron constructed in accordance with applicants invention avoids thesel defects and 10 insuiciencies of the prior devices and provides an electric iron of the folding type which, when the handle is in collapsed position, occupies a minimum amount., of space; the danger of vibration and fracturing of the handle is reduced to 15 a minimum and means are provided which are eiective throughout the entire life vof .the iron in positively holding the handle in extended position whereby to prevent inadvertent collapsing of thehandle during normal use of the iron.

As shown in the drawing, an electric iron constructed in accordance with applicants invention embodies a sole plate 2 having a cut out portion forming a channel 4 (Fig. 7) forreceiving the heating element which may be'of any 25 convenient conventional structure, but preferf ably comprises the usual resistance coil Wound on an insulating plate 6 which is interposed between upper and lower insulating plates 8 and I0. The heatingelement is clamped in position in the 30 channel 4 by a relatively thin metal plate I 2 also received in the channel 4, the plate I2 being of a shape similar to the sole plate-2 and mounted within the upstanding rim or ange I4 of the latter. The plate I2 is secured to the sole plate by 35 cap screws I6.(Figs. 3 and 6) passing through suitable openingsin the plateIZ and received in' alined threaded openings in the sole plate.

At arear corner of the plate I2 a portion is cut to form a slot I8 for receiving the usual plug 40 receiving terminals` 20 which are insulatingly mounted on a resilient strap 22 and connected to the opposite ends of the resistance coll of the heating element.

A over plate or shell 24, preferably of sheet 45 metal, is detachably fastened to the sole plate as by screws v2li (Figs. 1, 3 and '1) passing through suitable holes in the cover plate 24 and received in alinedrthreaded openings of the sole plate. Thecover plate 24 is preferably of a shape similar 50 to that of the sole plate 2 but is longer than the sole plate so as to project rearwardly beyond the heel of the sole plate and is provided with a depending rim or flange 28 adapted to engage the rim or ange I4 of the sole plate. In order to 55 permit circulation of air betwen the cover plate or shell 24 and the heated clamping and ,sole plates i2 and 2, respectively, the depending rim or flange 28 is provided with a plurality of spaced notches, grooves or openings 30, and it will be evident that, by reason of a circulation of air through the openings 30, overheating of the cover plate or shell will be prevented.

A terminal housing 32, preferably of sheet metal, is received within an opening 34 in the cover plate or shell 24 and is secured, with the strap 22, to the clamping plate I2 as by a screw 36 passing through apertured lugs of the terminal housing and strap 22, respectively, and received within a threaded opening in the clamping plate. These horizontal, outwardly projecting lugs formed on the housing 32 and the strap 22 are clamped between the cover plate or shell 24 and the clamping plate I2, as shown in Fig. 7.

The depending rim or flange 28 of the cover plate or shell 24 is partially cut away at the rear portion thereof to permit a rest member 3 8 to be interposed between the rear portion of the cover plate and the clamping plate |2. 'I'he rest member 38 rests upon the rim |4 of the sole plate and is provided with an upwardly pressed or ofito snugly receive the rear edge of the terminal housing 32 to offer further support for the housing when the iron is in vertical position and in turn to utilize this housing in supporting the iron in vertical position. 'I'he rest member is also provided at its forward edges with a struck-up boss 46 engaging the cover plate to support the latter and apertured to receive the rear screw 26 by which the cover plate is secured to the sole plate so as to provide an additional spaced point of supporting engagement between the rest of the handle upon the cover plate or shell with? out the danger of marring the handle or lburning the ngers of the user.

The handle means 50 comprises the handle 52 of heat insulating material and front and rear handle supporting members 54 and 56.` The handle 52 is shaped to provide spaced depending foot portions 58 and 60 adapted to contact the flat surface of the cover plate or shell when in collapsed position vand to provide a hand-grip portion 62. The front supporting memberr 54 preferably comprises a wire or rod of resilient material bent to provide spaced legs 64, integrally connecting spaced feet 66, with an upper, horizontally extending handle engaging portion 68, the spaced feet 66 being integrally joined by a This rest member lower, horizontally extending pivot portion 10. As shown in Fig. 6, the feet 66 converge from the pivot portion 10 so as snugly to receive the handle when in collapsed position and resiliently latch the handle in that position, and the handle engaging portion 68 is received between the spaced foot portions 58 and 60 of the handle beneath an upwardly curved section of the handgrip portion 62 so that the handle rests flatly upon the cover plate or shell and extends longitudinally thereof as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

A clip 12, having a substantially semicylindrical body portion 14 v(Fig. 3) receiving the pivot portion 'I0 of the member 54 and depending lugs 16, pivotally secures the supporting member 54 to the upper nat surface of the cover plate or shell 24, the lugs 'I6 passing through slits in the cover plate and bent over into attaching engagement with the undersurface of the cover plate (Fig. 3). l

The handle supporting member 54 .is detachably locked to the front end of the handle 52 by the locking or latching means `'18. locking means comprises a plate (Fig. 8) secured to the handle in theend groove 82 (Figs. 4 and 5) as by a screw 84. The plate 80 is provided with a struck-out, forwardly projecting. latch retaining or locking ngei 86 and an inwardly bent lower flange or flanges 88 providing a non-chipping eilge against which the latch operates. A latching clip 90 (Fig. 8) lis pivotally mounted on a resilient plate. or strip 92 secured to the handle by the screw 84 and overlying the plate 80 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5). The clip'80 passes through a slot 94 (Fig. 8) in the spring plate 92, by the edges of which it is pivotally associated with said plate, and between the plate 92 and the plate 80 the clip isprovided with laterally extending lugs 9B substantially rectangular in cross section, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 8, so that the clip will be vretained in its latching positionl by the spring plate 92, as shown in Fig. 4, and also will be retained in its non-latching or released position, as shown in Fig. 5. 'I'he spring plate 82 is provided with a vertical slot 98 through which the latch retaining or locking nger 86 projects and the clip 90 is also slotted as at |00 to permit the linger to pass therethrough and engage the attaching portion 68 of the forward handle supporting member 54. 'I'his finger 86 therefore will positively prevent inadvertent release of the latch by a downward or rearward thrust on the handle.

The clip 90, exteriorly of thel spring strip 96, is shaped to provide a groove |02 (Figs. 5 and 8) and a finger or operating portion |04, the groove |02 receiving the handle engaging portion 68 of the handle supporting member 54. The lower edge portion |06 of the spring strip 92 extends over the groove |02 when the clip 00 is in latching position and bears against the portion 68 of the member 54 lresiliently to retain it in the groove |02 and positivelyy prevent inadvertent release of the latch by a forward orupward thrust or pull on the handle (Figs. 3 and 4). It will be evident that by engaging the finger |04 of the latch clip 90 the same will be raised from the position shown in Figs. -3 and 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5,-thereby to release the handle supporting member 54 from the handle` The rear handle supporting member 56 preferably comprises a wire or rod bent to provide spaced feet |08 (Figs. 1, 2 a-nd 3) integrally connected at their lower ends by a horizontally extending pivot portion ||0 and integrally con- 75 nected to a horizontally extending attaching portion H2 by spaced legs H4 (Figs. 1 to 3). A clip H5 similar in all respects to the clip 12 pivotally fastens the member 56 to the at upper surface of the cover plate or shell 24. 'I'he member 56 is pivotally fastened to the handle 52 by a plate H6 secured to the handle as by a screw H8 and having a struck out portion |20 forming an inwardly facing groove for pivotally receiving the horizontally extending portion H2 of the member 56.

It will be evident that upon movement of the la-tching clip 90 from -the locking position of Figs. 3 and 4 to the releasing position of Fig. 5, the forward handle supporting member 54 may be pivotedina.counterclockwise.direction freine..

thefull line position of Fig. 3 to the dotted line position of said figure, or the full line position of Figs. 2 and 6, in which position the horizontally extending portion 68 of this member 54 rests upon the upper surface of the cover plate or shell 54 and thereupon the handle 52 may be moved in a forwa-rd direction longitudinally of the iron to a collapsed position upon thebase of the iron,

as shown'by the full lines of Figs, 2, and 6 and the dotted lines of Fig. 3.

In moving to this position the handleI 52 will be forced between the spaced resilient legs 64 and feet 66 of the front supporting member 54, asl

shown in Fig. 6, and resiliently held by this member against vibration when in collapsed position and resiliently latched in this collapsed position. The position which the handle occupies in relation to the base when collapsed and the latching of the handle in this position'protect the handle against thev dangers of fracturing during transportation or storage.

It should be noted that the feet 66 and |08 of the front and rear handle supporting members 54 and 56, respectively, extend in opposite directions along the cover plate when the handle is in extended, operating position asshown in Figs. 1 and 3 and therefore absolutely prevent movement of the handle relative to the base so long as the front supporting member is latched to the handle.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that applicant has provided a sturdy andA inexpensive,.relatively very thin, collapsible iron wherein Imeans are provided'for preventing overheating of the cover plate; wherein the handle is movable longitudinally of the iron into a collapsedl position upon the base; and wherein meansl are provided for effectively locking the handle in its extended position.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understoodfrom the foregoing description and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and.4 arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a .preferred embodiment for the purpose of i1- lustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a sad iron, a heated base, a handle; supl porting members spaced longitudinally of the base and mounted on said base for swinging' movement in opposite directions toward or away from the base between extended and collapsed positions, means for preventing swinging of the supporting members in a direction away from the base when the extended position is reached, means for securing said handle to said members.

said securing means including a releasable latch between' said handle and one of 4said members whereby said handle is releasably retained in extended positionby one of said supporting members, and means interlocking the handle to the 5 said one supporting member to transmit handle forces to the said one supporting member independently of the latch whereby to prevent ink,advertent release of the latch.

2. In a sad iron, a heated base, a handle, a pair 10 to one of said membersfor movement therewith and relative thereto from extended position into a collapsed position in close juxtaposition to the base, means for interlocking said handle and the second of said members when said second -member is in extended position whereby said handle is releasably retained in extended position by said supporting members, said interlocking mea-ns including a manually releasable latch, and means preventing relative movement between said supporting member and handle in a direction to effect release of the latch. v 3. In a sad iron, a heated base, a handle, a

pair of spacedsupporting members mounted on the base for swinging movement in opposite directions toward and awa-y from the base between extended and collapsed positions, means to limit the swing of said members in la direction away from collapsed position when the extended position isreached, means for securing said handle to one of said members for movement therewith into extended and collapsed positions relative to the base, means for releasably latching said handle to thefsecond of said members when said second-member is in extended position vvhereby"l said handle is releasably retained in'extended po- 45 sition by said supporting members, one of said supporting members having means to receive the handle when in collapsed position and releasably tovhold said handle in said position, land means for transmitting handle forces to said second supporting member independently of the latching means.

4. In a sad iron, a heated base, a handle spaced supporting members shiftably mounted on the base for movement in opposite directions from an extended position to a `collapsed position, said supporting members having base portions extend-Y ing respectively in said opposite directions' and adapted to engage the base to hold said supporti'ng members in extended position, means for se- 60 curing said handle to one of said members for movement therewith into extended and collapsed positions relative to the base, means for releasably latchlng said handle to the second of said members when said second member is in extended position whereby said handle isY releasably retained in extended position by said supporting -member, said latching means including a resiliently pressed latchv'connecting the handle to the second of said supporting members, and means of supporting members spaced longitudinally of ward or away from the base and from or to anthe base and mounted on said base for movement in opposite directions toward or away from the ibase, means for securing said handle to one of said members for movement therewith into extended and collased positions relative to the base, means carried by the handle for releasably latching said handle to the second of said members when said second member is in extended position whereby said handle is releasably retained in extended position by said supporting members, said second supporting member having an upper, substantially horizontal latch engaging portion for engagement by said latching means, and said latching means comprising a manually operable latching nger and a 'latch plate formed to receive therebetween the latch engaging portion of the second supporting lmember and a nger adapted to engage the said latch engaging portion of said second supporting member'thereby to prevent inadvertent relative movement of the latching finger and latch plate in a direction to release inadvertently the second supporting member from the handle.

6. In a sad iron, a heated base, a handle, a

.l pair of handle supports spaced longitudinally of the base, said supports being mounted on the base for swinging movement in opposite directions toextended position to or from a collapsed position, means for shiftably securing said handle to one of said supports for movement therewith and relative thereto into an extended position and -into a collapsed position in juxtaposition to the base, means for releasably latchingthe handle to the other of said members when said other member is in extended position, means limiting the swing of the supports in a direction away from collapsed position when the extended position is reached, whereby said handle when latched to said other support is releasably retained in extended position by said supports, and means preventing relative movement between said other supporting member and handle in a direction to effect release of the latch.

7. In a sad iron, a heated base, a handle, a pair of spaced supporting members mounted on the base for swinging lmovement; in opposite directions between collapsed or extended positions, means to limit the swing of said members in a direction away from collapsed position when the extended position is reached, means for securing said handle to-one of said members for movement therewith into extended and collapsed po- Isitions relative to the base, means for releasably latching said handle to the second of said members when said second member is in extended position whereby said handle is releasably retained in extended position by said supporting members, one of said supporting members having resilient clasp means to receive the handle when in collapsed position and releasably to hold said handle in said position,.and means preventing relative movement between said second supporting member and handle in a direction to eiect release'of the latch.

8. In Va sad iron, a heated base, a handle, a pair of handle supporting bails arranged and adapted to swing in opposite directions toward or away from the base, abutment means to limit the swing of the bails in directions away from the base to positions where the free ends of the balls are spaced apart substantially the length of the handle, a pivotal connection between one end of the handle and one bail, releasable resilient clasp means securing the other end of the handle to the second of said bails and an interlocking member between the handle and the second of said -bails to transmit handle forces to the second bail independently of the resilient clasp means.

9. In a sad iron, a heated basea handle, a pair of handle supports arranged and adapted to swing in opposite directions toward or away from the base, means to limit the swing of the supports in directions away from the base to positions where the free ends ofthe support are spaced apart substantially the length of the handle, means for securing said handle to one of said supports for movement therewith toward and from the base, means for interlocking the handle with the second of said supports, said interlocking means including a resilient latch holding the handle to said second support against the weight of the iron, and means transmitting downward and horizontal handle forces to said second support independently of the latch whereby `to prevent inadvertent release of the latch during use of the iron.

10. In a sad iron, a heated base, a handle, a handle supporting member collapsibly mounted on the base for movement of the handle longitudinally of the base from an extended position spaced above the base to a collapsed position in close juxtaposition to the base, and releasable means for retaining the handle in extended position during use, said releasable means including resilient clasp means and means for transmitting handle forces independently of the resilient clasp means.

11. In a sad iron, a heated base, a handle, a pair of handle supporting bails arranged. and

adapted to swing in opposite directions toward or away from the base between extended and collapsed positions, abutment means to limit the swing of the bails in a direction away from collapsed position .when in the extended position where the free ends of the bails are spaced apart substantially the length of the handle, a pivotal connection between one end of the handle and one bail, and means interlocking the other end of the handle to the second of said balls, said interlocking means including an abutment plate arranged and adapted to transmit all downward and horizontal handle forces to the cooperating bail, and

a resilient latch to retain the bail to the plate against the weight of the iron when lifted.

` JAMES J. GOUG'rI-I.` 

